The Obsidians

Chapter 2

"Don't frown Elias, you knew this would happen and look, this place doesn't look bad at all," Helen said and looked around the dormitory.

The entryway was vast, with high, vaulted ceilings that disappeared into shadows. Elaborate chandeliers hung precariously from chains, their dim light flickering like ancient candles. The walls were adorned with tapestries of people and animals and in the main area stood a stone fireplace and around multiple maroon couches. A grand staircase stood in front of the entrance and led up to the higher floors where the bedrooms were.

The dormitory rooms were impressive and I hated that I actually liked the room. Wooden doors with iron handles creaked open to reveal spacious room furnished with two dark mahogany beds, their headboards carved with intricate designs.

Helen stood a little aside, waiting for me to take the first step. My knuckles whitened, gripping my bag. I was fixated on the room's details: the beds, their color, the polished wooden floor, and the grand window opposite the door.

"Hello, you must be Elias, right?" A voice called from my left.

And so it began. My first opportunity to either seamlessly integrate into this new chapter of my life or to tarnish it. I always convinced myself that I cared little for others' opinions, that their thoughts and judgments were not important. Yet, there I stood, rooted to the wooden floor, clutching my bag until it slipped from my grasp and landed with a thud beside me.

The voice belonged to a young man, likely my age, though in that moment, I couldn't even be sure of my own name, let alone his age. Helen, ever the silent observer, offered no help. Was she even still there?

"I heard we'll be sharing a room this year. Nice to meet you," he said, clearly expecting a response I was unprepared to give.

I looked up. He wore a beige sweater over a white button-up shirt, its hem peeking out. His black jeans contrasted sharply with his equally dark hair, trimmed shorter on the sides. He took a few steps towards us.

"I guess so," I muttered, meeting his confused gaze. "I'm Elias."

I knew Helen would give me a reassuring smile, praising my attempt at making friends, which only made me want to leap through the expensive-looking window and escape. The guy stood there, still expecting something. What more did he want? I had answered his question, hadn't I?

"Elias," Helen's voice rang out, jolting me. I turned around swiftly. "Here's your schedule for tomorrow. I see you two will get along just fine. Don't forget to call me with updates, alright? Now, bye-bye!"

I watched her retreating figure down the hallway, growing smaller with each step. She was undoubtedly smiling, relishing my confusion. That witch! She expected me to be a good boy, to call her and recount every detail of my day, how wonderfully I was adjusting. As if I would.

"I have another one if you need it," the guy said behind me.

"What?" I snapped, turning quickly.

He was silent for a moment, then pointed at my hand. "I have another one of those."

I looked down to see what he meant. The schedule sheet was now a crumpled ball in my hand.

"Oh."

He laughed. He actually laughed at me.

"Don't worry, mate. They're a nightmare. I'm Liam, by the way. Here, I'll get you another one."

Liam moved to his side of the room, his confused look softening into an understanding smile. He opened a drawer and pulled out a fresh sheet of paper, identical to the one I had just ruined.

I took it from him.